Electronic device for providing self-adapting services depending on the platform of the host equipment with which it is connected

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an electronic device having one or more services made available to a host equipment with which it is connected. The invention allows the device to automatically adjust the access capability to the services made available depending on the software platform available within the host equipment. The invention relates more particularly to electronic storage devices, the access capability of which to reading/writing to the memory is adapted depending on the host equipment.

The invention relates to an electronic device having one or more services whose availability is depending on the host equipment with which it is connected. More particularly the invention relates to an electronic storage device comprising a memory to contain data and/or at least a program or software component.

Many devices exist today. The most popular ones are dongles or keys, including in general a Flash type mass memory. They usually communicate with host equipment using the USB protocol (Universal Serial Bus). This device enables the user of a laptop for example to copy or import data. He may also carry out the installation of software components in order to enrich the range of functions on his computer.

There are other devices, such as MMC (Multi-Media Card) or SD (Secure Digital) type memory cards. In addition, there are devices such as smart cards, some of which are known under the acronym UICC (Universal Integrated Circuit Card). These cards typically bear a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) type application or more generally an application which enables to identify a subscriber and to define the rights of its proprietor, so that he can benefit from services of any kind. Removable or portable hard drives also enable to save, share, deploy data and programs.

Other devices include a content server, such as pages (for example written in HTML—Hypertext Markup Language) available using a web browser, programs which can be downloaded on devices such as a laptop.

In addition, host platforms suitable to establish a wired connection or wireless connection are varied. Portable laptops or office computers are the most known ones. One may also name, without limitation, mobile communication terminals connecting to a network, in general of GSM/GPRS (Global System for Mobile communications/General Packet Radio Service) type, or personal electronic assistants. The list of devices capable of establishing communication with an electronic storage device could be long. Besides very heterogeneous physical structures, these devices require software platforms or different operating systems in order to manage their hardware and software resources. For example, personal computers are sold and configured with a “Windows” operating system published by Microsoft. Others are sold with the operating system “Linux OS” or the computers distributed by Apple Computer incorporate the operating system “Mac OS” etc.

The management of text files or even multimedia is usually no problem. For example, it is easy to copy from a USB key photos, documents or even video or sound from a computer having a “MAC OS” system on a second computer with a Windows operating system. The transfer of software, programs or simple software components is more problematic. Indeed, such programs or software, in whole or in part, depend on the software platform or operating system of the host equipment.

A software application cannot work with “Windows”, “Linux OS” or “Mac OS” without adaptations. In order to deploy these applications using electronic storage devices, publishers need to store as many versions of the application to be deployed as target platforms exist. In order to facilitate the action of a user wishing to install an application contained on a USB dongle, the versions of this application are distributed in the mass memory of the dongle and are accessible through directories. Each directory is then dedicated to a type of host platform: “Windows”, “Linux OS” . . . A directory contains various software components associated with a dedicated version and an operating process stored with one or more electronic documents.

After having connected or put his dongle in conjunction with a computer, the user must then navigate with the file manager of his computer in the tree structure of the memory plan of the dongle and select the relevant directory. Unfortunately, frequent selection errors are detected. Poor selection makes the installation ineffective and induces a large solicitation of the call centres of the software companies. Mishandling may damage the software configuration of the host equipment and maximizes the discontent or disappointment of the clumsy, distracted customer or not used to dealing with this type of technological constraints. The commercial impact is extremely negative in the event of wrong selection or manipulation of the user.

The invention aims to solve the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a simple and transparent solution to the user. Thus, the invention promotes the deployment of software applications and prevents any risk of mishandling and wrong selection by the user.

To Review

To that purpose, an electronic device having one or more services is particularly planned. The device includes a memory having at least one service which can be used by a host equipment; means of communication enabling a connection to a host equipment; a means to manage and make available to the host equipment the service or services; an identifier to identify a software platform available within the host equipment. The device is characterized by the memory which is partitioned into at least three areas of memory. The first area is dedicated to the first type of software platform available within the host equipment. The second area is dedicated to the second type of software platform available within the host equipment. The third area is independent of the type of software platform available within the host equipment. In addition, the means to manage the services automatically adjusts the access capability to those services from the host equipment depending on the platform identified by the identifier by presenting one of the first and second areas and the third area.

Preferably, the means to manage the services may be a access controller for reading and/or writing of the memory able to automatically select the area accessible for reading and/or writing to the memory depending on the platform of the host equipment identified by the identifier.

In a preferred embodiment the identifier may be part of the means in order to manage the services. In order to identify the platform available within the host equipment, the identifier may use certain data exchanged with the host equipment, such as commands to initialize the communication.

According to a first embodiment, the means to manage the services may operate a reserved memory for the reference of the areas authorized for a given platform.

According to a variant, the means to manage the services also operate a memory to list the services authorized for a given platform. The reference to that memory is contained in the reserved memory.

According to a second embodiment, the means for managing the services operate a memory in order to list the services authorized for a given platform, the contents of that memory is prepared in advance by such means from data stored in the reserved memory.

Other features and advantages will appear more clearly when reading the following description and when reviewing the figures that accompany it, including:

FIG. 1 shows an electronic storage device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows the adaptation of access capability to the mass memory of a storage device according to the invention;

FIG. 3 describes the logical structure of a plan of the mass memory of an electronic storage device;

FIG. 4 presents the data structures used to manage the mass memory of an electronic storage device.

FIG. 1 shows an electronic storage device 1 according to the invention. This device 1 is in conjunction with host equipment 2, respectively illustrated and by way of example, by a USB stick and a laptop.

The host equipment 2 namely has a software platform 21 and communication means 23. The software platform 21 may be the operating system “Windows” published by Microsoft or “Linux OS” or “MAC OS” for an “Apple computer” or any other operating system. The means of communication 23 enable to establish a communication supporting for example the USB protocol or any other type of communication. The means may also provide a communication without any contact, such as Bluetooth®, WiFi etc.

Other software and hardware (processing unit, memories . . . ) implemented by the host equipment 2 are not represented in FIG. 1, in order to facilitate the readability.

The electronic storage device 1 has a mass memory 11 accessible by reading/writing from the host equipment 2 through a access control facility 12. It also includes communication means 13 enabling to establish communication with the host equipment. For example, the means 13 provide a communication using the USB communication protocol. The means of communication 13 of device 1 could also provide a wired communication or communication without contact. In order to ensure communication with device 1, the host equipment 2 initiates the communication by a series of commands, especially in order to recognize the type of device 1, its software and/or hardware configuration.

In the case of communication using the USB protocol, the commands particularly consist in:

-   -   Initializing the communication bus;     -   Requesting a device descriptor;     -   Configuration of that device . . .

In the case presented in conjunction with FIG. 1, a device 1 such as a USB stick cannot interpret a logical structure of directories and files as shown in FIG. 3. The device 1 provides (via the controller 12) services of reading and/or writing by memory blocks. The host equipment 2 only can interpret a logical memory structure as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 presents an example of tree structure of files F1 through F8 grouped by directories DR, D1-D5. The contents of a mass memory (such as memory 11 of a storage device in conjunction with FIG. 1) can be represented with a tree view at several levels of hierarchy NR, N1, N2 and N3. The main directory or root directory is DR. It lists the files F1 and F2 as well as three other directories of level N1: D1, D2 and D3. The directory D1 bundles files F3 and F4. Directory D2 contains a single file F5. The directory D3 (of the same level N1 as D1 and D2) has two directories of a lower level N2: D4 and D5. In turn registers D4 and D5 respectively bundle file F6 and files F7 and F8. By using this type of representation, the contents of a memory are traditionally organized. The data of a user of an electronic device are divided and classified.

FIG. 4 allows describing a known embodiment to constitute a logical structure of a memory 11 described in conjunction with FIG. 3. The embodiment is a FAT filesystem (File Allocation Table). This type of system can be considered universal. Indeed, the operating systems being developed such as “Windows”, “Linux OS” recognize this file system.

According to this system memory 11 includes traditionally four areas: the reserved area 50, area 70 dedicated to a file allocation table, area 60 dedicated to the root directory and an area for files and directories. The reserved area 50 includes the address 501 particularly of the root directory DR. This address is directly or indirectly encoded. Indeed, the reserved area may alternatively contain the size of area 70 immediately following the reserved area. The root directory being the memory structure immediately following table 70, it is possible to deduct indirectly the address of root directory 60. Address 502 of the area of table 70 can also be deducted indirectly. This is particularly the case if memory area 70 immediately follows the reserved area 50. If these memory areas are not adjacent, address 502 may be explicitly written in the reserved memory 50.

Table 70 is used to configure the memory space used for files and directories. There is an entry 71, 72, 73 for each basic unit or cluster of the file memory. An entry may contain a value to indicate:

-   -   That the cluster is not used;     -   That the cluster is reserved;     -   That the cluster is damaged;     -   That the cluster is the last cluster of a file;     -   The cluster following a file.

Thus when a file F1 through F8 is created, the software platform 21 allocates clusters to create the file by searching unused clusters in table 70. The platform updates that table 70 to materialize clusters 702 or 703 associated with file 91 or 92.

The root directory 60 is used as a table of contents. It identifies files and directories of level N1. Each entry 61, 62 particularly includes the name of the file or directory of level N1, its size and location in the memory. For this, an entry 61 or 62 of the root directory 60 includes the address or number of the first entry in table 70 associated with the file or directory. Entry 62 can specify 602, the first entry 71 in table 70. The directories of level N1 and N2 each have a structure 80 similar to that 60 of the root directory. The structure 80 of a directory is stored in the memory area of files and directories. Entry 71 in the allocation table 70 is then associated 701 to a directory. In turn structure 80 includes one or more entries 81 each associated to a file 91 or directory of lower level.

According to the prior art can be classified:

-   -   Data specific to the “Windows” platform under the directory D1;     -   Data specific to the “Linux OS” platform under the directory D2;     -   Common data under the directory D3.

However such a division cannot overcome a wrong selection by the user. Although the name of directory D1 (or a help file F1) describes the procedure to install an application compatible with a “Windows” platform, the user may inadvertently choose to install a program (stored in D2) compatible with “Linux OS”. The installation will be ineffective and the user unsatisfied.

The invention solves the disadvantages of previous solutions by hiding to platform 21 (i.e. to the user) the directories containing incompatible applications or irrelevant data. In order to do this, data and applications are classified as seen according to the prior art:

-   -   Data specific to the “Windows” platform under the directory D1;     -   Data specific to the “Linux OS” platform under the directory D2;     -   Common data under the directory D3.

Device 1 according to the invention also includes the mass memory 11 and a means 12 to control access to memory 11, an identifier 14 to identify a software platform 21 available within the host equipment 2.

To identify platform 21, the identifier 14 can analyze the series of commands sent from the host equipment 2 when setting the connection of device 1 and host equipment 2.

If we take the example of the USB protocol to illustrate the identification stage, we saw that the commands consist in:

-   -   Initializing the communication bus;     -   Requesting a device descriptor;     -   Configuring that device . . .

In the case of a “Windows” platform 21 these commands are translated (in English) by the program instructions:

1) Bus Reset (noted “R”);

2) Get Device Descriptor (noted “D”);

3) Bus Reset (noted “R”);

4) Get Device Descriptor (noted “D”);

5) Set Address (noted “A”)

6) Set Configuration (noted “C”)

7) . . .

We can schematically note “RDRDAC” to characterize this sequence of instructions

In the case of a “Linux OS” platform 21 only the following instructions are transmitted:

1) Bus Reset (noted “R”);

2) Get Device Descriptor (noted “D”);

3) Set Address (noted “A”)

4) Set Configuration (noted “C”)

5) . . .

The sequence may also be noted “RDAC”

We could take other examples (“Mac OS”, etc.) to illustrate the fact that the sequence of instructions allowing initializing the communication is a kind of signature of platform 21, a signature that the identifier 14 of device can exploit according to the invention.

Alternatively, the identification made by means 14 may be more complex and require a more complete analysis of these commands. A state machine may for example be implemented by the identifier 14 to perform the function of identification. Other mechanisms could be imagined using other features from the host equipment 2.

To solve the drawbacks of known solutions, device 1 according to the invention includes an access controller 12 to memory 11, modified to automatically adjust access capability 11 a in reading and/or writing to the memory 11 from the host equipment depending on the platform identified by the identifier 14.

FIG. 2 presents a device 1 the memory 11 of which includes:

-   -   Part 11-1 of the allocation table 70 dedicated to relevant data         only for a “Windows” platform 21, these data 11-2;     -   Part 11-3 of the allocation table 70 dedicated to relevant data         only for a “Linux OS” platform 21, these data 11-4;     -   Part 11-5 of the allocation table 70 dedicated to common data         for platform 21, these data 11-6.

The device 1 according to the invention presents to a host equipment 2, a laptop equipped with a “Linux OS” platform 21, an access capability 11 a reduced and dedicated. For this host equipment 2 are available only:

-   -   11 a-1 and 11 a-2, respectively corresponding to part 11-3 of         the allocation table 70 dedicated to relevant data only for a         “Linux OS” platform 21 and to these data 11-4;     -   11 a-3 and 11 a-4, respectively corresponding to part 11-5 of         the allocation table 70 dedicated to common data of platform 21,         these data 11-6.

In order to present the only relevant evidence to a platform, a first embodiment consists in providing in the memory dedicated to the root directory 60 (see FIG. 4) as many structures 61, 62 as platforms that may be linked to the electronic storage device. Thus, for an electronic device comprising data and/or programs specific to two platforms (“Windows”, and “Linux OS” for example), it is provided in memory 60:

1) A root directory including:

-   -   a. an entry dedicated to a directory D1 containing relevant data         and/or programs solely for a “Windows” platform;     -   b. an entry dedicated to a directory D3 containing common data         to any platform;     -   c. possibly one or more entry(s) dedicated to one or more help         or promotion files in order to install programmes specific to a         host equipment equipped with a “Windows” platform;

2) a root directory including:

-   -   a. an entry dedicated to a directory D2 containing relevant data         and/or programmes solely for a “Linus OS” platform;     -   b. an entry dedicated to a directory D3 containing common data         of any platform;     -   c. possibly one or more entry(s) dedicated to one or more help         or promotion files in order to install programs specific to a         host equipment equipped with a “Linux OS” platform.

In the reserved memory 50 it is also planned to associate an entry point or specific address to each of the root directories of memory 60.

Thus, after the identification phase performed by the identifier 14, the access controller 12 uses the access point or address relative to the relevant root directory under the identified platform 21. The data and/or programs specific to another platform are inaccessible.

According to another embodiment, the different versions of root directories are stored in the reserved memory. For this embodiment, each structure includes a separate identifier. The controller 12 copies in memory 60 the relevant structure depending on the identified platform.

Alternatively, only a full version of the root directory is stored in the reserved memory. The root directory structure in memory 60 is generated at the time of connection, via controller 12 as a result of the identification stage of the platform. In order to do this means operates a distinctive identifier contained in each entry 61, 62 of the root directory stored in the reserved memory and only copies the entries relevant to the identified platform. The entries correspond to data specific to the platform and common data.

Other embodiments could be imagined. The above described achievements are not exhaustive in terms of the invention.

Thus, taking as an example an electronic device according to the invention including a content server. This device could include:

-   -   a USB type means of communication 13;     -   a backing storage 11 (containing data from the server), and a         functional means 12 implementing the server (e.g. completed by a         FTP server (File Transfer Protocol) and a “streaming” server for         the transmission of the contents).

The identifier 14 having detected a software platform, signalizes to server 12, which, for the same request from equipment 2, returns different data according to the identified platform 21. Considered that the server makes available an executable program to be downloaded and executed on the host equipment, a help “Web” page for the installation of the software and a “Web” page describing the software license.

The program or programs made available depend(s) on platform 21. In order to implement the invention, the server 12 uses for example a table 50 of references to resources dedicated to the involved platforms. In order to detect platform 21, the identifier 14 operates the request issued by the browser of the equipment 2 in order to identify platform 21 of the host equipment 2.

Another example of implementation of the invention relates to a SIM card 1, with a USB support 13 which can be used in a phone or computer via a USB connection. The operator who distributes such a card may restrict the use of certain applications contained in the card to the world of telephone and others to the computer world.

Card 1 comprises an identifier 14 to detect platform 21 of the host equipment 2 (computer or telephone).

Other examples of implementation or use of the invention could be imagined or considered.

In addition, as described in FIG. 1, the identifier 14 and handler 12 may be separated. In a preferred embodiment, the identifier 14 is part of the access controller 12 to memory 11 of a USB drive or of server 12 of a device comprising a content server accessible via a browser. 

1. Electronic device (1) presenting one or more services, including: a memory (11) having at least one service which can be used by a host equipment (2); means of communication (13) allowing a connection to a host equipment (2); a means (12) to manage and make available to the host equipment (2) the service or services; an identifier (14) to identify a software platform (21) available within the host equipment (2); wherein: memory (11) is partitioned into at least three areas of memory, a first area (11-1 and 11-2) being dedicated to a first type of software platform (21) available within the host equipment (2), a second area (11-3 and 11-4) being devoted to a second type of software platform (21) available within the host equipment (2), and a third area (11-5 and 11-6) being independent of the type of software platform (21) available within the host equipment (2); and wherein medium (12) to manage the services automatically adjusts the access capability (Ha) to such services from the host equipment, depending on the platform identified by the identifier (14) by presenting one of the first and second areas and the third area.
 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the means (12) to manage services is an access controller (12) to reading and/or writing of this memory (11) which can automatically select the accessible area to reading and/or writing to the memory (11) depending on the platform of the host equipment identified by the identifier (14).
 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the identifier (14) is an integral part of the means for managing the services (12).
 4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the identifier (14) operates some data (104) exchanged with the host equipment (2) in order to identify platform (21).
 5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the data used (104) are based on commands of the initialization of the communication between the device (1) and the host equipment (2).
 6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the means for managing the services (12) operate in addition a reserved memory (50) in order to reference the areas permitted for a given platform (21).
 7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the means for managing the services (12) operate a memory (60) in order to list the services authorized for a given platform (21) and wherein the reference (501) to this memory (60) is contained in the reserved memory (50).
 8. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the means for managing the services (12) also operate a memory (60) in order to list the services authorized for a given platform (21) and wherein the contents of this memory (60) is developed by such means (12) from data stored in the reserved memory (50). 